Saturday, August 30, 2008

Poland's Got Talent

This Polish video is astonishing. I was sent it by the wife of an MP. Christ alone knows how she came across it... And Christ alone knows why she thought I would enjoy it. Can't think. But joking apart, doesn't it personify the concepts of teamwork and trust?

Perhaps Simon Cowell and Piers Morgan could do a reprise on the next series of BRITAIN'S GOT TALENT. On second thoughts, I think most of the audience would vomit.

Less of the blasphemy - if you are going to make a song and dance about 'swearing', just stop it - it is far far worse, and much more offensive to many people than any amount of f-words, c-words, b-words and so on.

Have a bit of respect for your readers - this is the equivalent of those asinine twits on the train playing very loud and offensive, and if one dares to complain it is 'you that has the problem'.

Pack it on pronto, or I will be reading another blog. You wouldn't make such offensive remarks about Islam, but Christianity, hey, that is just a 'soft target' isn't it ?

Why? This is a secular state. Will anonymous require evolution to be deleted from scientic knowledge because it doesn't accord with his or her beliefs? To many of us having an invisible magic friend who is so powerful that only good things may be stated is rather offensive as it unreasonably restricts free speech.

If blasphemy really, really mattered to you, you would not remain anonymous.

and 12:28 - what gives you the right to make disrespectful comment such as: "Pack it on (sic) pronto ...". Iain Dale doesn't need to take such illiterate and common instruction from you.

Your final comment displays the usual religious intolerance and insensitivity. Do remember that true Islam recognises and respects Jesus, even though it believes that the word of Mohammed (PBUH) supercedes his teaching. Your distinction between the two just displays ignorance.

Your intolerance may give a clue to why Christianity is heading toward minority status, losing believers to Islam and, more relevantly, to Atheism.

I've heard this on various Russian youtube videos - they're very fond of that sort of thing. In fact there seems to be very little difference between Poles and Russians culturally. I know Poles like to think there is, but then Scots like to think they are nothing like the English.

I think I might have seen this one with Circ d'Soleil, certainly the same format. And the last Archaos tour - many years ago now (20?) - I think had a mum, dad and young son doing a similar act as a trio.

This clip is labelled as Bejing Opening Ceromony (or something similar on You Tube) which is why the wife of an MP stumbled across it. Or maybe the MP just isn't as in shape as he used to be and the wife needed a pick me up!!?

I stumbled across this clip a couple of weeks ago whilst searching for the opening ceromony. Apparently the opening ceremony was embargoed by NBC as they broadcast it later 'as live' across the states so You Tube was deleting any users who posted it. Hence this clip was getting numerous hits!

gallimaufry: "This is a secular state" How ignorant. No it's not. This is a state with a state religion, where the head of state is the head of the Church. The church is 'established', there are bishops in the legislature, the state pays millions of pounds for education with a religious bias. You do not know what you're talking about.

cc. You're taking the p**s. Homosexuality is OK but you don't want it thrust down your throat, eh?

It's amazing how the religious types in many faiths expect you to respect their sensitivites and feelings but don't give a toss when it comes anyone else if it crosses their own particular set of ideals.

It's amazing how the religious types in many faiths expect you to respect their sensitivites and feelings but don't give a toss when it comes anyone else if it crosses their own particular set of ideals.

Precisely! Are there no blogs we can rely on to treat this nation's religion with some dignity and the basic decency so many think it deserves?

Gods almighty - I loved it. Like you said, Iain, the trust and teamwork involved are amazing, not to mention the skill and strength. In a better time, a majority of straight people may be able to watch and appreciate this without being annoyed by it's homoerotic appeal.

In response to the anonymongs, Iain's usage of the word 'Christ' is part of the common vernacular in the UK. If you don't like it, I suggest that you club together to buy a little island where you and all those of like mind can go and worship your god and where only 'appropriate' language is allowed. You would be most offended if, in person, you told me not to use that word in my everyday language.

FWIW, I doubt if you would have been so offended by the use of the word Christ if the video had shown a man and a woman carrying out that same routine.

I have been out all day so I have only just picked up on some of these comments. To those who have accused me of blaspheming I suggest you get a life. I have done nothing of the sort. I have used a urn of phrase which is in everyday English langiage use. If that's the worst you have to worry about consider yourselves lucky.

And to the idiot who thinks this video promotes homosexuality, I suggest you get some therapyy, becasue boy do you need it.

"I have done nothing of the sort. I have used a urn of phrase which is in everyday English langiage use."

It may be in Norfolk, but most of us have slightly higher social standards than this - I would certainly fire any employee ignorant enough to keep using language like this in the work place, and you are 'showing your slip' if you think you could get away with this form of words in somewhere like Parliament.

But then you will never become an MP, and your 'friends' are possibly too polite to point out what a twit you look when using such offensive language in polite company.

Iain - i am very suprised that at the tone of your responses - in particular in response my suggestion questioning whether this is homosexual promotion or not.

it does seem to be very homoerotic - and that is probabbly why the MPs wife sent it to you - for your tittilation.

There are many conservatives who do not share you ideas about the liberalisation of homosexuality - that does not mean we need our head examining - ask a large number of ordinary rank and file tories and you will find we are rather more normal than you think and moral standards prevail.

Perhaps if you realised that we only had your best interests at heart you would not be so aggressive and discourteous

A lot of people see absolutely nothing wrong with heterosexual titilation. Most entertainment features it. What is wrong with a bit of the other side of the argument? Anyway, Iain is acknowledging the humour for Christ's sake!

No one is being threatened by this or a little run of the mill, garden variety blasphemy. You are not under attack so no need to fight back.

I found it worked for me on several levels; awe at the physical triumph and the beauty of the human body, appreciation of the artistry and disgust at the blatant homosexuality. In the end, the homo bit put me off. I could not watch it all the way through and I would walk out if it was staged in front of me. I do not apologise for my tastes and neither should anyone else. They are tastes, not a political agenda.

Iain, I recognise that you don't profess a religious faith yourself, but your gratuitous use of the name of Christ is offensive and unnecessary. A Germanist like yourself would benefit (and, I hope, enjoy) finding out about Dietrich Bonhoeffer and what guided his political and social thought. Conservatives don't poke faith in the eye, while libertarians and socialists gladly do. Conservatives understand that a reasonable, life-affirming, heart-engaging, struggle-surmounting kind of faith functions as a kind of 'glue' in society, affirming good traditions and inspiring people to rise above petty selfishness and factionalism.Certainly Margaret Thatcher understood this.

As for the video, it showed great physical strength and virtuosity, while its homoerotic overtones looked fairly obvious.

Blasphemy, gay porn, eastern europeans... all in a single post! I can see why little england has unleashed a collected "harumph" in Iain's direction!

All we need now is confirmation that the performers don't really like the idea of grammar schools and it'll be an even 4 out of 4.

As for the claim that Tories understand the importance of Christian faith... I guess David Mellor, John Major, Edwina Curry, Jeffery Archer, Tim Yeo etc were shining examples of the Seventh Commandment ;-)

I'm amazed at the comments this harmless piece of fun has provoked. But it isn't out of line with comments seen generally in recent weeks. We can debate whether we are a 'broken society', but we surely are increasingly a grumpy one if these threads are any indication.

Iain: keep up the good work. Your blog is a consistent pleasure to read.

"As for the claim that Tories understand the importance of Christian faith... I guess David Mellor, John Major, Edwina Curry, Jeffery Archer, Tim Yeo etc were shining examples of the Seventh Commandment ;-)"

I said 'conservatives', not 'Tories'; I am not and never have been a member of any political party. Whether the British Conservative Party understands and lives out (classical, Burkean) conservatism is another question. I don't doubt that it has as many adulterers in its ranks as Labour and the Libdems - a fact that hurt them dearly under John Major. Remember that hypocrisy is the compliment etc. No doubt there are people whose creed is libertarianism and materialism. Historically I don't consider that to be conservatism. But if you consistently undermine the personal and familial foundations of a society, there is a huge price to pay. This is a constant theme of Theodore Dalrymple, who is not a Christian believer, but often sounds like one as he surveys 'our culture and what's left of it'.

There seem to be a lot of people on here who are exercised about the use of "Jesus Christ". I have to say, as a Christian (a proper one) I actually failed to notice it.

In order for language to be offensive, it must somehow appear out of context. I really do not see the problem. I wouldn't use the name of my Saviour like this, but come on, let's stop being precious. Leave that to the Muzzies. Citing Dietrich Bonhoeffer! Get a life.

wrinkled weasel: Perhaps you haven't read Bonhoeffer and didn't get my point. Schade.My wish was to encourage Mr Dale, an intelligent person who has studied German and cares about politics and ethics, to consider one of the most outstanding Germans of the 20th century, who had a great deal to say (and suffer) on politics, ethics and faith.It is true that British politics has a strange and embarrassed relationship with Christianity (mirroring the Britsh people, no doubt) - from Blair with his slippery a la carte Catholicism, to son-of-the-manse Brown who can only speak vaguely about 'my values', to Cameron with his soft centre Anglicanism. Yet Christianity has always been the cultural core of this country. The secular hollowing out of that core in the past 50 or so years, and the emergence of an unapologetic Islam, has been the real story of politics. Bonhoeffer would have (and did) understand.